Nicest Gift

[note2sb]

What was the nicest gift of a fountain pen you received that was unexpected.

[winedoc]

Ha, fountain pen as gift??? I have never received fountian pen as gift. From my wife?? Dream on!

 

BUT, nicest non-pen gift is this precious Vacheron watch from my father in law's own collection (he is not a FP guy, but a watch guy). Went to visit my in-laws this past holiday season, the day we were flying back, he presented me this watch. This is one expensive watch which I could not afford (or seeing myself buying). I was deeply touched by his generosity, and that he treats me like his own son. This will be an heirloom for sure.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Watches/tn_DSC08336.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Watches/tn_DSC08338.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Watches/tn_DSC08339.jpg

 

Kev

[jaytaylor]

My father in law gave me a mint Parker 61 set with a mint polka dot case, it included spare refills for the ball point still in original packaging.

 

He received the set for his 21st.

 

I was touched and keep the set very safe, high sentimental value.

[rattybad1]

The first "good" fountain pen I got was a blue J-series Esterbrook that a friend I met in grad school gave me as a parting gift when she moved to Kansas. That got the ball rolling for me. Up 'til then I was using Parker Vectors and thinking I was awesome.

 

A year or so later, my little sister sent me a birthday gift of an unexpected Pelikan 200 (the amber demonstrator), along with a pen display box. Because the box had room for 8 more pens, I figured that was my best excuse to start buying nicer fountain pens.

 

More people should know about this: Giving a nice pen to someone is such a great gift in & of itself, but I also love it because it doesn't clutter up my apartment like, say, the electric "relaxation fountain" my other sister bought me or the poker table top (just the top) I got one year (nope, don't play much poker).

[blueiris]

Over the weekend, I emailed my friend and colleague for an opinion on what "new" vintage pen to select for myself, as he's much more the collector than I. I gave him a few criteria, such as "not a piston filler," "not an ugly pen," "not precious or too expensive" and "wet writer." He responded with a few suggestions. He also noted that if I were going to follow his Esterbrook recommendation, that I should not buy one online somewhere because he had Esterbrooks to spare from his collection. A quick and easy in-person purchase--nice, I thought.

 

So today, I was prepared to buy. He came to my office with 2 Esterbrooks, a silver J and a red LJ, with two nibs that he thought I'd enjoy (9314-M and 9314-F, both oblique stubs, and from my research, apparently more rarified). He chose the colors based on my having hinted that I intended to use red ink in the pen. I received his blessing to test out the nibs overnight in the red LJ, which I think is more "me." When I asked how much, he demurred, saying that I may simply have the pen and whichever nib I chose! I thought that was really sweet of him. I know these aren't expensive pens, but I thought it was still a generous gesture.

 

The only occasion for ths gift was our friendship. We've shared our interest in pens and inks for only about six months (and I think we egg each other on), but we've been friends for ten years.

[rvg]

Ha, fountain pen as gift???  I have never received fountian pen as gift.    From my wife?? Dream on! 

 

BUT, nicest non-pen gift is this precious Vacheron watch from my father in law's own collection

That's nothing...

 

My father-in-law gave me his daughter. But I exchanged her.

[Doug Add]

I have a dear friend in Texas who has given me a few pens. Usually, they come with a note saying his arthritis prevents him from using larger pens. I have always been overwhelmed by his generosity, but never more than the time he sent me a 1924 oversize Sheaffer Flat Top.

 

I have mentioned it here before, but it fits the topic at hand and I don't mind extolling my friend's graciousness.

 

This pen was purchased new by my friend's grandfather, and it had been handed down to him. He sent it to Fountain Pen Hospital for restoration, and it honestly looks like a brand new pen.

 

Three years ago he gave it to me as an expression of our friendship. I was deeply humbled by the gift, as it is a family treasure. He told me his son has no use for fountain pens and will probably get rid of them all when he dies, so he wanted to make sure his grandfather's pen went to someone who would truly appreciate it.

 

More so than for the gift I am thankful for our friendship. My friend's 74th birthday is Friday, and as usual I have written him a birthday letter with his grandfather's pen.

[O'Hare]

rvg :roflmho:

 

What wonderful gifts to each other Doug Add. I'm sure he appreciates his gift as much as you appreciate yours.

[Richard]

The nicest FP I've received as a gift was this Fendograf safety:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/fendograf.jpg

 

A client called me one day and asked if I wanted a gift (unspecified at that moment). I was instantly suspicious that this person was actually a telemarketer, but the gift turned out to be a pen that had been bought from a major B&M dealer. The client, whom I know much better now, is a curious type and, wanting to know how a safety works, had disassembled the pen -- breaking it in the process. I suggested that I could simply repair it for the client, but the answer was that I should just have it as a gift. With all the hidden identities here, I don't know if that client is on FPN, but just in case, THANK YOU! (Yes, I did make a more personal thank-you, but I want the client to know that I still love the pen.)

 

The most recent gift pen was this Parker 15 Flighter, which Susan Wirth gave me this past week:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/15_flighter.jpg

 

Not as cool a pen, but a cooler gift because the givers are not pen people, is this late-production Diamont Point from my sister-in-law and her husband:

 

http://www.richardspens.com/images/collection/zoomed/dpp_late.jpg

 

(This pen was one of three, none of them in working order. The fun of making a silk purse out of a sow's ear was part of the gift.)

[Titivillus]

What was the nicest gift of a fountain pen you received that was unexpected.

I've never received a pen as a gift....but I'm always open to anyone wanting to send me one

Edited January 17, 2007 by Tytyvyllus

[MYU]

I was sitting on the leather sofa in the living room, across from the Christmas tree. My niece was still busy ogling over the gift she had just unwrapped when my wife leaned over the couch from behind and placed a small wrapped box on my lap. The box was just the right size to say "There might be a pen in here!".

 

I looked up at my honey, who was beaming a huge smile and gazing at me with those deep amber brown eyes of hers. "Go ahead and open it" she suggested, as she nodded towards the box. So I opened it, not knowing at all what was in store for me. The intricately seasonal patterned red/green foil wrapping slipped easily away, revealing a leather box. She never liked giving a special gift in the original box, preferring instead to use a really nice hand made one. And in this case, I knew what lay inside had to be very special. I opened the box... and there it was. A burgundy Parker 51 DJ with Empire cap. I quickly looked at her with a stunned expression--"You can't be serious. This is... well, it's a fortune!" "I know, I know--but YOU DESERVE IT. So don't go thinking about how much I had to pay for it. In fact, I paid a lot less than you'd think. But that's MY little secret. <wink, wink>". Although I shared my pen passion with her at times, I only casually mentioned this pen a few times over the course of our relationship. I never would have expected she'd go out and buy it for me! This was just too good to be true. I stood up, walked over to her, pulled her body close to mine and gave her a deep long kiss for about... well, who's counting! Then it was her turn. I couldn't wait to see her expression with what I'd gotten...

 

 

 

 

** POOF! **

 

 

 

 

Well, that was the nicest fountain pen gift I ever got... in a dream, that is.

[Chris Chalmers]

One day, about a year ago, I was sitting at the computer when a little knock at the door was heard, and there was a stranger standing there, holding a little old box.

She turned out to be one of my husband's customers (he fixes computers) and he had mentioned that I collected fountain pens - she had mentioned this while visiting some elderly friends in Sydney - they had looked at each other and said "Ah-ha! we can get rid of those old pens in the desk!

The little box contained two MBs, a 22 and another slim model, a stainless steel Parker and a Pelikan that I couldn't identify! I posted on another board and Rick Propas responded about the Pelikan, it was a rare one made in 1954 for the Argentinian market, a 400 in Light Tortoise! I sent it to Rick to be restored as it needed a nib (it had a broken CS nib in it) and a new cork - and it came back with a delicious OM nib.

I will never sell on this pen, it was such a kind gesture from strangers, and could have so easily ended up in the bin! It is worth about US$1200! When I contacted the original owner I learned that the MBs had been his and his wife's pens through University in Sydney during the early 1960s, and the old 'green' pen had been his Fathers.

Never in my life have I had such a gift, unsolicited and so valued!

 

In addition I have had several gifts of pens from friends I am yet to meet in person, but who are indeed good friends - and generous of spirit as well!

 

Hugs,

Chris :)9

[jaytaylor]

I was sitting on the leather sofa in the living room, across from the Christmas tree. My niece was still busy ogling over the gift she had just unwrapped when my wife leaned over the couch from behind and placed a small wrapped box on my lap. The box was just the right size to say "There might be a pen in here!".

 

I looked up at my honey, who was beaming a huge smile and gazing at me with those deep amber brown eyes of hers. "Go ahead and open it" she suggested, as she nodded towards the box. So I opened it, not knowing at all what was in store for me. The intricately seasonal patterned red/green foil wrapping slipped easily away, revealing a leather box. She never liked giving a special gift in the original box, preferring instead to use a really nice hand made one. And in this case, I knew what lay inside had to be very special. I opened the box... and there it was. A burgundy Parker 51 DJ with Empire cap. I quickly looked at her with a stunned expression--"You can't be serious. This is... well, it's a fortune!" "I know, I know--but YOU DESERVE IT. So don't go thinking about how much I had to pay for it. In fact, I paid a lot less than you'd think. But that's MY little secret. <wink, wink>". Although I shared my pen passion with her at times, I only casually mentioned this pen a few times over the course of our relationship. I never would have expected she'd go out and buy it for me! This was just too good to be true. I stood up, walked over to her, pulled her body close to mine and gave her a deep long kiss for about... well, who's counting! Then it was her turn. I couldn't wait to see her expression with what I'd gotten...

 

 

 

 

** POOF! **

 

 

 

 

Well, that was the nicest fountain pen gift I ever got... in a dream, that is.

Damn, you had me going..thinking you lucky @£$%& !!!!

 

 

A nice dream though.

[Shannon]

A Waterman Carene in Marine Amber.

 

My just kind of looks at me and shakes his head a lot, but he encourages my habits!

[din]

for my birthday last week one of my friends gave me a waterman expert II in matte black. I wasn't expecting it at all, and I was completely unfamiliar with the model, so I was a little shocked when I found out how much they go for online. she told me she understood if I wanted to exchange it for another nib size (it was an M), and I was a lot shocked when I returned it to the B&M and found out she paid full retail for it. they were out of Fs, so I've been alternating between tapping my foot and rubbing my hands together until I get the call that it's back in stock. it's not a pen I'd purchase for myself, but it's one I'll treasure nevertheless.

I think anytime you get a pen it's brilliant. if it's from someone who doesn't care about pens but knows you do, it doesn't even matter what the pen is, because they tried, and the thought really does count more than anything. and if it's from someone who loves pens, it's going to be a pen that they know you'll adore.

[winedoc]

Ha, fountain pen as gift???  I have never received fountian pen as gift.     From my wife?? Dream on! 

 

BUT, nicest non-pen gift is this precious Vacheron watch from my father in law's own collection

That's nothing...

 

My father-in-law gave me his daughter. But I exchanged her.

for pens?? and which one?

 

Kev

[guy]

Nicest gift of a pen was the only one I've had.

 

When I started getting serious into using/accumulating fountain pens my Mother give me an envelope. Inside was my Grandfathers black Parker 45 CT fountain pen.

 

This pen was used by him everyday from sometime in the 1960s. He died in 1976 and I don't really remember him other than this old man who used to peel apples with a pen knife for me.

 

This pen means so much, and I have spent the last 18 months adding another two Parker 45s to my collection.

[Romagno]

The nicest surprise gift that I have ever received was not a fountain pen.

 

However, the nicest fountain pen gift that I have ever received was from a fellow Alfa Romeo owner.

 

It was a Delta Alfa Romeo Giulietta Trofeo fountain pen in "Alfa Red" resin with sterling trim - an absolute beauty! It was quite a surprise because my friend is not a FP person.

[Kay]

When I graduated from Junior High School in the late 60s my parents gave me a Parker 45 pen and pencil set. I "shared" it with my mom and didn't take it with me when I went to college, by then I'd started using Osmiroid italics, but that was my first FP, setting the seed that meant I always wrote with a FP, generally an inexpensive one (lots of transparent barrel Sheaffers and Vectors after the quality of Osmiroid went south), until I suddenly realized I could now afford something NICE about 2 years ago and I got a Nakaya, and then... well, it hasn't stopped. Now I've got what my husband calls "a pen thing," a habit.

[rvg]

Ha, fountain pen as gift???  I have never received fountian pen as gift.    From my wife?? Dream on! 

 

BUT, nicest non-pen gift is this precious Vacheron watch from my father in law's own collection

That's nothing...

 

My father-in-law gave me his daughter. But I exchanged her.

for pens?? and which one?

 

Kev

One I didn't have to share...